Agenda and minutes

The Chairman will ask the Committee Administrator to draw attention to the emergency evacuation procedure.

The Democratic Services Officer read out the emergency evacuation procedure.

There were no apologies for absence.

At this point in the meeting declarations of interest are received from Members in any of the agenda items under consideration at the meeting. Members are asked to indicate:

(a) The agenda item number and site in which they have an interest to declare.

(b) The nature of their interest.

(c) Whether their interest is a disclosable pecuniary interest or an other interest,  (as defined in Part 2, A and B of the Code of Conduct and Rules for Registration of Interests)

Any Member who needs to clarify any matters relating to the declaration of interests is recommended to seek advice from the Council’s Monitoring Officer before the meeting to expedite dealing with the item during the meeting.

Cllr Jackson stated that she is a member of the Radstock Co-operative Society.  However, this has no connection with the Scala co-operative store and so there is no conflict of interest.

There was no urgent business.

The Democratic Services Officer informed the meeting that there were a number of people wishing to make statements on planning applications and that they would be able to do so when these items were discussed.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 20 October 2021.

The minutes of the meeting held on 20 October 2021 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The following applications will be considered in the morning session of the meeting (from 11am):

·  20/02479/OUT – Parcel 1991, Bath Road, Keynsham

·  21/04049/FUL – The Scala, Shaftesbury Road, Oldfield Park, Bath

The following application will be considered in the afternoon session of the meeting (from 2pm):

·  21/02929/FUL - 2 Molly Close, Temple Cloud, BS39 5AE

The Committee considered:

·  A report by the Head of Planning on various planning applications.

·  An update report by the Head of Planning on items 1 and 2 attached as Appendix 1 to these minutes.

·  Oral statements by members of the public and representatives.  A copy of the speakers’ list is attached as Appendix 2 to these minutes.

RESOLVED that in accordance with the delegated powers, the applications be determined as set out in the decisions list attached as Appendix 3 to these minutes.

Item No. 1

Application No. 20/02479/OUT

Site Location: Parcel 1991, Bath Road, Keynsham – Outline application for up to 5,700sqm (GEA) of flexible use commercial development falling within Use Classes B1(b), B1(c), B2, and B8 with primary access onto Bath Road.  All matters reserved except access.

The Case Officer reported on the application and his recommendation to delegate to permit.  He informed members that on page 44 of the report the reference to the “Somerdale” site should be disregarded as this was an error.  He also advised that a further condition was required because of a recent update to the Use Classes Order to ensure that the agreed uses do not include the wider use classes permitted under the new Class E.

Two local residents spoke against the application.

The agent spoke in favour of the application.

Cllr Andy Wait, local ward member, spoke against the application.  He expressed concern about the likely increase in traffic, the type of industrial activity that could move onto the site and the increase in carbon emissions which would be contrary to the Council’s green agenda.

Officers then responded to questions as follows:

·  Policy KE3a states that primary access to the employment land should be from Pixash Lane.  It does not specify that there should be no access onto the A4 or that Pixash Lane should be the sole access point and so in the officer’s view the application does not conflict with this policy.  The applicant has explored other access arrangements but there are issues with third party land ownership and other solutions were found to be undeliverable.  There are no highway safety concerns.

·  No comments have been received from the Highways Authority about the Metro-Bus scheme and officers do not believe that the proposals would prejudice the scheme.

·  The proposed s106 contribution makes up part of a package of contributions from developers of this site.  It will provide funding for the improvement of the shared walkway/cycleway, upgraded pedestrian refuges and road upgrades.

·  Vehicle restrictions will be in place to permit all operations, deliveries and despatches from the site only between 7am to 7pm Monday to Saturday and 9am to 5pm on Sundays and Bank Holidays.  There is no restriction on the type of business within the use classes specified.  Businesses are subject to environmental protection regulations relating to noise restrictions.  The proposed landscaping buffer will also provide an opportunity for some acoustic screening.

·  The site is already allocated as an employment site for the use classes listed.  Therefore, the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 72.

The Committee is asked to note the report.

The Committee considered the appeals report.

The Deputy Head of Planning agreed to provide committee members with further information regarding the following matters:

·  Details of whether any costs were awarded against the Council in relation to the three appeals that were allowed.

·  Further information as to why the Planning Inspector over-ruled the committee decision to refuse the Wansdyke Business Centre application.

·  An update regarding the potential appeal in respect of the Mineral Hospital application.

RESOLVED to NOTE the report.